This Is The Way Forward... But Which Way?
Over the last few weeks we've walked through the first two steps of the Pendulum Process. First, define the extremes: name what "too far" looks like on both sides. Second, discuss both sides: consider what is valuable each way.
Now comes the part most of us want to skip to: discern where God has you now.
I love Isaiah 30:21: "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'"
Notice what that verse doesn't say. It doesn't say "always turn right." It assumes that sometimes right is the way and sometimes left is. What makes the difference is the voice.
That's the whole point of the wide middle. God didn't leave it empty so we'd guess. He left it open so we'd listen.
So how do we actually discern? Here are a few things that help me:
- Ask. James 1:5 promises that if we lack wisdom, God gives generously when we ask. I sometimes don't stop to ask because I assume I already know.
- Check the edges. Is one of the ...
Too much grace isn't grace at all
"She comes across a little strong, don't you think? Shouldn't we just love people where they are? After all, love covers a multitude of sins."
"Yeah, but don't you think she'd want to know? Faithful are the wounds of a friend."
Have you ever been part of that conversation? Both people are quoting Scripture, and both are right. That's what makes it so hard.
This is step two of the Pendulum Process: discuss both sides.
On one side is truth. Honest feedback can show someone a blind spot and spark a real "aha" moment. But truth pushed over the edge becomes bluntness without timing or care. I've been there. Years ago I removed a dancer from a role in a drama without much discussion because she couldn't get the part right. I was right about the timing. I was wrong about how I handled her, and it hurt her.
On the other side is grace. Grace lets things go, refuses to be offended, and leaves room for people to grow. But grace pushed over the edge becomes silence, or even abdication. A frie...
If there were just a set of rules...
If I were in charge of the world, I think I would have made right and wrong a lot clearer. I'd have written a list of rules so we could all know for sure whether we were doing the right thing.
God didn't do that. Not for everything, anyway.
Some things are clearly right and wrong. Murder, adultery and stealing aren't up for discussion, and neither are forgiveness and our need for salvation. Those sit firmly on the outside edges of every pendulum.
But look at how many of Jesus' teachings seem to pull in two directions:
- We're told to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), yet Jesus told His disciples to shake the dust off their feet in towns that rejected them (Matthew 10:14).
- We're told to let our good works shine so others see them (Matthew 5:16), and in the very next chapter to do good in secret (Matthew 6:2-4).
- We're told not to worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:25-34), yet the bridesmaids who weren't prepared were left outside (Matthew 25:1-13).
So how are we supposed to know wha...
No one ever? Anyone always?
Last time I asked you to notice where you've been swinging. This week I'll go first.
When I walk by a homeless person, I tend to just keep walking.
Please don't write to tell me how cold that is until you've read the rest! I'm telling you my natural tendency, not my best moment. In my head it sounds reasonable. There are missions in every city offering a real way out. Handing over food or money feels like helping someone avoid the harder answer. I even have verses that support my thinking. Jesus said, "You will always have the poor with you." Paul wrote, "Anyone who refuses to work should not eat."
If I let those thoughts run to their extreme, they land here: give to no one, ever.
Now let me tell you about a guy from our church. I'll call him Keith. Keith has thought about setting up a tent city in his backyard for anyone who needs it. He regularly gives food to people in need, and he runs a food truck that is free, no questions asked.
Keith has verses too. The Good Samaritan. Joh...
"How Will You Know?" [Pendulum Perspective]
In this series, we'll explore the Pendulum Process, where we examine different aspects of life through a pendulum perspective. We will explore how to discuss both sides of a focus, define the edges, and help people discern what's next.
So there I was coaching a young go-getter who had ANOTHER great idea.
This guy was a genius. Full of passion. Devoted to God, his family, and furthering the kingdom! He's the real deal. I'm not sure exactly what God has for him, but I definitely feel honored to know him and to walk with him in this season of his life.
So, what's the problem? Glad you asked.
This wasn't Joe*'s first great idea. He is one of those people who is loaded with great ideas. You know the kind. It can seem they have a different plan every time you talk to them. And all of them are viable. Some of them actually move on, but often they bite off more than they can chew.
I didn't serve Joe well the day he proposed this particular idea. Instead, I listened and partnered with h...
Follow Your Heart! But On The Other Hand...? [PENDULUM POST]
I'm learning to discern more. You'd think I'd be better at it by now, but it turns out I'm still learning. For me, following my heart means having the "courage" to call things out when I see them. I have the compulsion to set things right. I feel culpable to say what I see, especially as a leader. I almost always feel I am missing the mark if I don't say something when I hear or see something out of line.
(Feels kind of judgy when I say it like that... maybe because it sometimes is judgy and that's where the Pendulum Process needs to come in!)
Is it always right to say something?
Is it never right to step in?
Sometimes it is "courage" that is needed and I do indeed need to speak up. After all, Proverbs 9:8b says,
"... But correct the wise, and they will love you."
Yet, at other times we are encouraged to be wise by not speaking up. Proverbs 10:19b says,
"...if you are wise, you will keep quiet."
So what's a gal to do? Let's take a look at the Pendulum process.
The Pe...